22 Comments

substack does not have a sitemap xml file. Instead use the feed.xml file and submit weekly.

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Thanks for this info. I've seen that Google actually recommends submitting BOTH sitemap

xml and feed.xml. Might as well, right?

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did feed.xml work for you? When I submitted that as a sitemap I got an error from Google that it couldn't be indexed.

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I have no idea what I just did... but I got through all the steps and now know how to "request indexing." Thank you so much for your clear instructions!

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I'm so happy you found it helpful. Makes doing this Substack worthwhile!

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It did back when I followed my own instructions 😁. Haven't done this lately though, so maybe something changed with Google. Or Substack. Hope not.

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Really glad! Thanks.

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Hi! This was so, so helpful, but when I got to steps D5/D6, the search console said I had to be using tag snippets and the verification subsequently failed. So I think something has changed since you published this... I'd be super grateful if you could let me know if I've screwed up somehow - your instructions were amazingly detailed and thoughtful, but I seemed to fail at the final hurdle 😬

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Thanks for the feedback! Am in UK on holiday for awhile but will look into it when I get back. Glad you found it useful!

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I've had the same issue - did you solve it?

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Yes, you Substack setting update 24-48 hours later and you can paste the container snippet then

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Thanks for the detailed and helpful instructions. The only issue I encountered was that it didn’t fetch sitemap.xml. I’m going to wait a bit longer for it to appear, as I noticed a similar delay with feed.xml—it showed up after a few minutes.

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Thanks! Yes, I see some other comment to that regard as well. Probably some kind of change at Substack or Google. I haven't used my own procedure for awhile, but will revisit it soon and see what's up.

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This was incredibly helpful. Thanks!

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Very clear, but unfortunately, Google Console just won't 'verify' my container tag, even though it is on my Substack page where it's supposed to be. Any ideas?

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This has been very helpful, clear, and easy to follow! Thanks!

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What a clear and helpful post! Thank you. However, I ran into an issue around D9: There's a red notification under my sitemap submissions that reads "couldn't fetch"/"sitemap could not be read". Further info suggests the substack newsletter/sitemap.xml may be blocked to Google. Any thoughts as to whether that's the case for substack writers?

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I had the same issue, the issue could be two things, either you didn't select the 'URL prefix' option in step D4 or you didn't give the proper url https://www.blah.substack.com because Google has no problem finding /sitemap.xml for substacks with the full URL. I'd suggest deleting the property and going back to D1 again - this worked for me.

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Hey, thanks for your help, Rhys!

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This is very helpful.

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Great to hear! Thanks so much.

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Thanks Andy,

I don't have a need for the info at this moment but I read it anyway. Very interesting and potentially useful! Ciao

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